The Dexter defense is special – regardless of how you measure success. The numbers prove it and so does the eye test. They swarm, hustle and play with a relentlessness that you don’t often see on a high school football field.
“The defense is special,” confirms Grant Goodrich, who is one of the reasons why. “We have a lot of returning guys who are experienced in their positions. I think a key for us being so successful is our linebackers and how we have a lot of guys who can play different positions.”
Goodrich, a starting safety for the Dreadnaughts, has helped Dexter run the table in the regular season and has high hopes for the postseason. “I want to make it to Ford Field, and I know this team can if we play every snap like it’s our last,” he says. “The key for us is not overlooking our opponent and staying in a level headspace.”
The approached helped Dexter go 9-0 in the regular season.
“We had a great season – so far,” says Goodrich. “I think the work we’ve put in the weight room and out on the field is really paying off for us. Some of the highlights include beating Chelsea and winning the SEC Red.”
So far!
The playoffs opened with a dominating 42-14 win over South Lyon East on Friday. The Dreadnaughts will host East Lansing on Friday in a second round (District final) game at Al Ritt Stadium. Goodrich said the East Lansing game “went well.”
“It definitely wasn’t our best game but it was a good outcome,” he said. “But we will definitely have to play a lot better against East Lansing.”
The Dreadnaughts have been playing a lot better for years and have become a state powerhouse after many seasons of futility. “I’m really glad and appreciative that I’m able to be a part of Dexter football,” Goodrich says. “I think the main thing that makes our program great are the coaches. They are really dug in there and you can tell they care about you.”
Grant, 17, is the son of Trey and Sharon Goodrich. Other sports include powerlifting and enjoys fishing and lifting. He first started playing football after seeing it on TV. “I knew I wanted to play,” he says. “It was different than other sports because we were allowed to hit each other.”
Goodrich has been “hitting each other” a lot during his time in Dexter. He even found the end zone when he scooped up a fumble and returned it 22 yards for a TD against Chelsea. He started his high school career as a quarterback until the start of his junior season when he switched to safety and special teams. It was a good move – just ask Notre Dame commit CJ Carr, who threw two interceptions to Goodrich last year in the Saline-Dexter game.
Goodrich plans on playing football in college and has begun the recruiting process. “I have a couple D2-D3 offers and I’ve been looking at some of the bigger D3 schools in Wisconsin,” he says.
But right now his focus is on today’s practice and the next game as a member of a very special defense.
